A perfect storm: towards reducing the risk of suicide in the medical profession

McCormack, Ann

doi:10.5694/mja18.00221

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 13 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Prioritising the mental health of doctors (and other healthcare workers) has been identified as an urgent global public health priority with concern about numerous work-related risk factors such as heavy workloads, long shifts, moral conflicts, perceived job security and workplace-related bullying ( Sovold et al, 2021 ). Moreover, there have been recent high-profile suicide clusters of Australian junior physicians, with escalating concern among the medical profession ( McCormack, 2018 ). The COVID-19 crisis has placed additional work-related stress and pressure on doctors internationally, with 42% of 6559 UK doctors reporting that their mental health in 2020 was worse than before the pandemic (and 21% reporting it was better) ( Rimmer, 2020 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The comparative mental health of Australian doctors before and during COVID-19: A population-based approach

Morris

Glozier

2022

Aust N Z J Psychiatry

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objective: Occupational surveys of doctors consistently show higher rates of depression and anxiety than reported in general population surveys, findings replicated in all other occupational groups, suggesting potential selection bias. We evaluated the comparative mental health of different occupations in Australia from the same sampling frame over the past 6 years and assessed whether COVID-19 differentially affected different occupational groups. Methods: We analysed six annual data waves (2015–2020) from the nationally representative ‘Household, Income, and Labour Dynamics in Australia’ study. Mental health (Mental Health Inventory–5 from the 36-Item Short Form Survey) and life satisfaction scores of doctors over this period were compared with five other professions and all other employees. Regression models were adjusted for age, gender, income and work hours. Two-way analysis of variance examined the comparative changes in mental health among occupations between 2019 and after exposure to the COVID-19 pandemic in late 2020. Results: The sample of 15,174 employed respondents included 106 doctors. The 5-year mean mental health score for doctors (M = 78.7; SD = 13.1) was significantly higher than that for teachers ( M = 75.6; SD = 14.9), nurses and midwives (M = 76.6; SD = 15.9), lawyers (M = 74.2; SD = 16.1), accountants (M = 74.2; SD = 16.5) and all other employed respondents (M = 73.1, SD = 16.7) ( p < 0.001). Cognitive wellbeing comparisons were similar. There were no significant changes in professionals’ mental health over this period except for an improvement in engineers and a decline for teachers. From 2019 to 2020, all occupations suffered mental health declines without any significant inter-occupational differences. Conclusion: Australian doctors identified from a population-based sample rather than occupational surveys reported better levels of mental health and greater life satisfaction than most professions prior to COVID-19 without experiencing the worsening seen in the general employed population over the past 5 years. From 2020, there was a mental health decline in all of the employed population, not disproportionately affecting doctors. Although over-representing Australian trained general practitioners, the results from both this sample and other tentative findings challenge the discourse in medical advocacy, but need more formal comparative studies to confirm.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The comparative mental health of Australian doctors before and during COVID-19: A population-based approach

Morris

Glozier

2022

Aust N Z J Psychiatry

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…There is little wonder that this population are subject to unacceptable rates of distress, burnout, anxiety, depression and tragically suicide. [1][2][3] Programmes to address well-being in DIT and the system, organisational and cultural factors driving this such as Sydney Local Health District's 'MDOK' and N.S.W. Health's 'JMO BeWell' have been implemented and are an encouraging recognition of this issue.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Supports from senior colleagues are compromised by a reluctance to disclose any weakness, since there is a perceived need to impress senior clinicians who can facilitate access to training positions or desirable placements. There is little wonder that this population are subject to unacceptable rates of distress, burnout, anxiety, depression and tragically suicide 1–3 . Programmes to address well‐being in DIT and the system, organisational and cultural factors driving this such as Sydney Local Health District's ‘MDOK’ and N.S.W.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Design and implementation of flexible advanced training in rheumatology: report of a pilot programme

Anandacoomarasamy

Richards

Ward

et al. 2022

Internal Medicine Journal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Training in medicine is highly demanding and coincides with critical life tasks including relationship development, childbearing and rearing. The rigid requirements of training programmes risk precluding successful achievement of these extracurricular roles, forcing choices between work and other life commitments. Flexible employment structures that facilitate the development of high‐quality physicians are needed. Aim To assess the outcomes of 2 novel flexible training positions in Rheumatology. Methods The clinical department, trainees and senior administration designed flexible, part‐time advanced training positions in rheumatology. We sought to deliver excellent training, supervision and support while ensuring safe, efficient clinical service delivery within existing systems and cultures. Barriers to implementation were actively identified. We rejected job share arrangements in favour of independent part‐time positions anchored to departmental education, clinical and trainee needs. The outcomes of these positions have been determined through regular trainee meetings, clinic activity and costs. Results Trainees achieved all training requirements, reported high levels of job satisfaction, strong professional development, improved work−life balance and reduction of stress. Outpatient events increased and waiting times have decreased. We estimate that increased rebatable outpatient services have rendered the positions cost neutral. Conclusion Flexible training positions can enhance clinical departments while enabling high‐quality training for junior doctors. Further work should consider longer term outcomes and application to different clinical and training settings.

show abstract

Factors that impact burnout and psychological wellbeing in Australian postgraduate medical trainees: a systematic review protocol

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background The stressful nature of medical training and other work-related factors put postgraduate medical trainees at high risk of burnout and poor psychological wellbeing. This has negative implications for patient care and the effectiveness of the healthcare system. The structure of the healthcare system and postgraduate medical education in Australia is different to that of other countries. Whilst a significant body of research exists on burnout and wellbeing in trainees in the USA, evidence specific to Australian trainees is lacking. The aim of this review is to synthesise the current knowledge on the factors that impact burnout and psychological wellbeing in Australian postgraduate medical trainees. Methods/design A systematic review will be conducted across eight digital databases: Academic Search Complete, MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, PsychInfo, Scopus, CINAHL Plus and Informit Health Collection. Peer reviewed empirical studies and relevant grey literature published after 2000 that address an aspect of burnout or psychological wellbeing in Australian postgraduate medical trainees will be included. Two reviewers will independently review each article against the inclusion and exclusion criteria, with disagreements resolved via discussion and consensus. Data will be extracted using a standard form and quality will be assessed using the assessment tools available from the Joanna Briggs Institute. A thematic narrative synthesis of the studies will be presented, along with an assessment of current gaps in the literature and areas for future research. Discussion This review will be the first to integrate the evidence on burnout and psychological wellbeing specific to Australian postgraduate medical trainees. The findings will contribute to a better understanding of the factors that impact burnout and psychological wellbeing in this population and will lay the foundation for future research into appropriate strategic interventions. Systematic review registration This protocol has been registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO: CRD42020203195).

show abstract

A perfect storm: towards reducing the risk of suicide in the medical profession

Cited by 3 publications

References 13 publications

The comparative mental health of Australian doctors before and during COVID-19: A population-based approach

The comparative mental health of Australian doctors before and during COVID-19: A population-based approach

Design and implementation of flexible advanced training in rheumatology: report of a pilot programme

Factors that impact burnout and psychological wellbeing in Australian postgraduate medical trainees: a systematic review protocol

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About